You’ll find Dunlap’s ghostly remains in Morris County, Kansas, where this frontier town was founded in 1869 near the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. In 1878, it became a haven for freed African Americans under Benjamin “Pap” Singleton’s Exoduster movement, growing to 400 residents by the 1890s. The town thrived until agricultural depression hit in the 1920s, leading to its gradual abandonment. Today, concrete foundations, the Methodist Church, and the historic Freedmen’s Cemetery tell a powerful story of freedom and exodus.
Key Takeaways
- Dunlap, Kansas is a ghost town that flourished from 1874 to 1890s with 400 residents before declining due to economic hardships.
- Originally established in 1869, Dunlap served as a significant Exoduster settlement for freed African Americans following the Civil War.
- The town’s last Black resident died in 1993, marking the end of its historic African American community established by Benjamin Singleton.
- Only concrete foundations, abandoned buildings, and the preserved Methodist Church remain as physical evidence of the former settlement.
- The Dunlap Colored Cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserves the town’s African American heritage.
The Birth of a Frontier Town (1869-1874)
Three key events marked Dunlap’s founding in 1869: Joseph Gage Dunlap’s establishment of the settlement, its strategic placement near the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, and the arrival of the first African American residents.
The founder’s influence as a Kanza tribe Indian agent shaped the town’s early identity, though growth remained sluggish for the first five years.
As Indian agent to the Kanza tribe, founder Joseph Gage Dunlap left his mark on the settlement’s character during its slow initial growth.
You’d have found just three buildings by 1874, when two pivotal developments occurred: the establishment of a post office (initially named Hillsborough) and Leonard Still’s store opening. The post office officially changed its name to Dunlap in April.
Early challenges included minimal expansion and racial tensions, as African American settlers worked to build their own autonomous neighborhoods. The arrival of Benjamin “Pap” Singleton in 1878 would dramatically transform the community’s demographics and development.
Despite these obstacles, the town’s position near the railway promised future opportunities, leading to Dunlap’s formal incorporation in 1875.
Rise of the Exoduster Settlement
The spring of 1878 marked a defining moment in Dunlap’s history when Benjamin “Pap” Singleton, a former slave turned leader, selected the town as a refuge for freed African Americans fleeing the post-Reconstruction South.
The settlement, known as the Singleton Dunlap Farm Colony, drew hundreds of Exoduster migrants seeking a fresh start in Kansas.
You’ll find that these determined settlers faced significant challenges, including social segregation and economic discrimination from white residents who established separate schools, churches, and cemeteries.
The Freedmen’s Aid Association helped Black settlers purchase land through accessible payment plans, enabling them to establish roots in the community.
Yet the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway’s presence proved essential, providing critical transportation links for new arrivals and supplies.
Despite the obstacles, Singleton’s leadership helped establish a self-sufficient agricultural community where Black settlers could own land and build their futures away from Southern oppression.
The town became a crucial part of the rural Kansas crossroads where new communities developed alongside the expanding railroad lines of the 1860s and 1870s.
A Thriving Community’s Golden Age
During its golden age from 1874 to the early 1890s, Dunlap flourished as a bustling commercial hub along the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, reaching a peak population of 400 residents.
Like many Great Plains communities, economic downturns eventually took their toll on Dunlap’s prosperity.
The town’s economic diversity was remarkable, with multiple businesses serving the growing community’s needs. The Benjamin “Pap” Singleton settlement initiative brought hundreds of Black settlers seeking freedom and economic opportunity to the area.
- You’d find three general stores, including Leonard Still’s pioneering establishment from 1874.
- You could visit the Guaranty State Bank, ice cream parlor, or restaurant for your daily needs.
- You’d see the gristmill and sawmill powering local industry.
- You’d witness community institutions like the Baptist church and academy bringing people together.
The town’s strategic location and mix of Black and White residents created a unique cultural tapestry, with community institutions fostering education, commerce, and social advancement for all citizens seeking opportunity in this promising frontier settlement.
The Slow Fade: Decline and Abandonment
While Dunlap thrived through the late 1800s, its energy began unraveling in the 1920s as a devastating agricultural depression gripped the region.
You’d have witnessed the steady signs of economic hardship: the stone quarry’s closure, bank failures during the Great Depression, and abandoned storefronts along once-bustling streets.
The final black resident died in 1993, marking the end of a significant era in the town’s history.
Community dissolution accelerated as institutions vanished one by one. The high school closed mid-century, followed by both black churches in the 1950s.
The slow death of a town reveals itself first in empty halls – schools shuttered, church bells silenced, community bonds unraveling.
When the railroad pulled up its tracks in 1957, you could feel Dunlap’s isolation deepening. The post office’s closure in 1988 marked another crushing blow.
What Remains: Legacy of a Lost Community
Remnants of Dunlap’s once-vibrant community stand as silent witnesses to its rich past.
Today, you’ll find abandoned buildings with peeling paint, concrete foundations, and the well-preserved Methodist Church, now under historical society care.
The Dunlap Colored Cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, continues its cultural significance as the final resting place for generations of Black settlers from the 1880s until 1993.
Joseph Dunlap, an Indian agent, established the town in 1869 as a haven for freed slaves seeking a new beginning.
Located in the Neosho River valley, the town sits at the eastern edge of the largest remaining tallgrass prairie in North America.
- The restored stone walls of the Freedmen’s Academy echo the educational aspirations of former slaves.
- Paint-chipped homes and empty storefronts whisper tales of a bustling Black commercial hub.
- Historical remembrance lives on through the carefully maintained Methodist Church.
- The cemetery’s weathered headstones chronicle the community’s journey from freedom to exodus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Natural Disasters or Extreme Weather Events Affected Dunlap’s Early Development?
You’ll shudder at the million floods that ravaged your valley settlement along the Neosho River, while tornado impacts and drought effects constantly challenged your survival between 1869-1900.
How Did Native American Tribes Interact With Dunlap’s Settlers After Establishment?
You’ll find limited cultural exchange occurred, as most Kanza had moved to Oklahoma by Dunlap’s 1869 founding. Sporadic trade relations happened through Indian agents, but direct tribal interactions became increasingly rare.
Were There Any Notable Crimes or Law Enforcement Challenges in Dunlap?
You won’t find specific records of notable crimes or law enforcement challenges during Dunlap’s active years, though racial tensions and economic hardships likely created some difficulties for local authorities.
What Forms of Entertainment and Recreation Were Popular in Early Dunlap?
You’d find entertainment at church socials, community picnics, and barn dances. For outdoor fun, you could join baseball games, go horseback riding, or spend time fishing in nearby creeks.
Did Any Famous People Besides Benjamin Singleton Ever Visit Dunlap?
Can you believe it? While famous visitors were rare, you’d have found Joseph Dunlap (the town’s founder), Professor Joseph Hickey, and Emporia State researchers studying the town’s unique African-American history in 1991.
References
- https://www.abandonedspaces.com/towns/dunlap-kansas.html
- http://www.galenfrysinger.com/kansas_dunlap.htm
- https://thewanderingpigeon.com/2015/10/03/day-of-kansas-ghost-towns/
- https://legendsofkansas.com/dunlap-kansas/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunlap
- https://www.humanitieskansas.org/get-involved/kansas-stories/places/council-grove-a-storied-road
- https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=351ad344e6d542fc99527007d42aed0b
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew8YihQVU6A
- http://www.geospectra.net/kite/dunlap/dunlap.htm
- https://www.geotab.com/ghost-towns/
